ACCC frowns on data number portability

Page Tools

The Australian competition watchdog says ensuring consumers
could take their network access numbers with them when they changed
operators would not be in their best interests.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said
today its final report on data network access services (DNAS) said
allowing number portability would not increase competition for
services.

"The ACCC is not satisfied that the introduction of DNAS number
portability would be likely to promote competition in the market
for dial-up access to data networks or encourage economic
efficiency to a material extent", ACCC commissioner Ed Willett
said.

Number portability is the ability of customers to change their
network provider and/or service provider while retaining the same
service number.

A DNAS provides a user on a network other than a data network
the ability to gain access to a data network or to features or
facilities on a data network.

A major use of a DNAS is for dial-up internet access.

"While the ACCC has not estimated the implementation costs that
would be incurred by carriers and carriage service providers should
number portability be mandated, it accepts that costs would be
incurred," Mr Willett said.

"In these circumstances, the ACCC considers that it should not
issue a direction to the Australian Communications Authority in
respect of DNAS number portability".

In exercising its powers the ACCC said it had to assess whether
portability of particular allocated numbers would promote the
long-term interests of end-users.